Harborfields field hockey's Holly Gillmor scores lone goal to secure Suffolk Class B title
Harborfileds displays its county championship plaque after their 1-0 defeat of Eastport-South Manor during the Suffolk Class B field hockey final on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 in Manorville. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Last time the Eastport-South Manor and Harborfields field hockey teams met, it took until the final 30 seconds for a winner to be decided.
This time around, it only took one half. Holly Gillmor scored the match’s lone goal in the second quarter to lead top-seeded Harborfields over host No. 2 Eastport-South Manor, 1-0, in the Suffolk Class B championship on Thursday.
“I was so shocked when it went in, I was just so happy and excited,” Gillmor said. “I wasn’t on the team the first year we won the championship, but I was last year and we lost to [Eastport-South Manor]. Getting the win this time just feels so amazing.”
The Tornadoes (18-1) will face the winner of No. 1 Manhasset/No. 2 Garden City in the Long Island championship at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Adelphi. Eastport-South Manor finished 17-2.
Gillmor’s goal came off a textbook penalty corner play. Off Mia Gormsen’s assist, Gillmor collected the ball at the top of the circle and sent a drive directly into the right corner of the cage.
Coach Lauren Thomas-Desiderio said the play ran exactly how it was drawn up in practice.
“We literally practiced that yesterday with [Gillmor] in that spot,” she said. “It was incredible. Once we knew we could put one in, we could really settle in and stick to the game plan.”
The Tornadoes’ last county title came in 2024. This year’s championship is not only a win over a rival, but also Thomas-Desiderio’s 200th career coaching victory. She said this year’s success was a pleasant surprise.
“We thought this would be more of a rebuilding year, but this team’s work ethic, their dedication is unreal,” the coach said. “Our theme all season has been to build every day. Every day, they showed up ready to work hard and improve. They deserve this. I’m just so happy for them.”
After Harborfields’ opening goal, Eastport-South Manor put the Tornadoes’ defense under pressure. The Sharks held possession for much of the second half, earning 17 penalty corners to Harborfields’ four, but the defense never folded.
Goalkeeper Callie Schomburg made six saves, but her impact went beyond the stat sheet. Schomburg led Harborfields to its 12th shutout of the season and second over Eastport-South Manor.
“I just had to take it one play at a time,” Schomburg said. “I can’t look at the clock because that will freak me out, but I just needed to have that hard-working mindset. I’m proud to wear Harborfields across my chest.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
